Window structure



Jan. 24,1939. E. c swANsoN WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 24, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 [ml/e72 2/07 54BL C JW/WSON 45 $19 &\

ATTOBNE Vi Jan. 24, 1939. c SWANSON 2,144,782

I WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 24, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [72 Va 21 07 5134 C. JWAMm/v 'Patented Jan. 24, 1939 a v v V WINDOW STRUCTURE Earl C. Swanson, 'Bayport, Minn, assignor to Andersen Frame Corporation, Bayport, Minn, a corporation of Wisconsir Application February 24, 1936, Serial No. 65,298

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in window structures, and more particularly to a window comprising a plurality of horizontally movable sashes.

acter heretofore used, have been. more or less undesirable, principally because of the sashes be- Horizontal sliding windows of the general charing disposed in different planes, when the window is closed, which impairs the general appearance thereof, andfurther, because of the difllculties usually encountered to render such windows weather-tight.

The novel window herein disclosed, is comparatively simple in construction and readily lends itself for various uses. It comprises a'frame of substantiallyv ordinary construction, provided with suitable guides at its upper and lower portions adapted to receive and guide a plurality of sashes mounted for horizontal sliding movement in the frame. The sashes may be provided with suitable anti-friction elements at their upper and lower portions adapted to engage said guides, whereby the sashes may readily be relatively adjusted or moved in the frame. When the two sashes are in normal closed position, they are disposed in the same plane, whereby they present a very neat appearance from both the exterior and interior of the building and simulate an ordinary casement window.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a window structure comprising a plurality of sashes mounted for horizontal sliding movement and normally disposed in the same plane, when the sashes are in closed positions, whereby the window has the appearance of an ordinary casement window.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a window of the character disclosed, which is extremely simple and inexpensive tomanufacture; 40 to provide a window which does not require any counterbalancing weights or other means for re-- taining the sashes thereof in closed or adjusted position; which is so constructed that when closed, the .window is substantially weather-tight, whereby little or no weather stripping is required; to provide a window having the appearance of an ordinary casement window, but which does not require the usual mullion post between the sashes thereof to seal the joint between the sashes, when in closedposition; and, to provide a window comprising a plurality of sashes having suitable anti-friction means embodied in the construction. thereof for guiding them along suitable guides'provided in the upper and lower members as of the window frame, and whereby the sashes may readily be opened or closed without the use of expensive hardware; and, to provide a window of the character disclosed, which may readily be operated to control ventilation-through the windew and t in which the sashes may be readily 5 cleaned from the interior of the building, without removing the sashes, and which also permits the use of ordinary screens and storm sashes.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying l0 drawings and. will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings'there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, butit is to be I! understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved window structure, showing the sashes partially open; V

Figure 2 is an elevational view showing th sashes in closed position;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional ,view substantially on the line 3-4 of Figure 1, showing the sashes positioned in parallel relation, as when one or both are open;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 30 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the sashes in closed position and disposed in the same plane;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the'flrst operation of opening the window;

Figure 61s a view showing the two sashes moved 35 toward the center of the opening, from the side jambs of the frame, whereby the window is opened adjacent each side jamb;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 4, with the sashes removed from the frame to more clearly 40 illustrate the guides provided at the top and bottom of the frame for guiding the sashes;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale, showing the means at the top and bottom of the sashes 5 for guiding them in their horizontal movements in the frame;

Figure 9 is a top view of a corner of one of the sashes showing the anti-friction elements provided therein;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view, showing the means provided for locking one of the sashes in closed position;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view substantially on the line ll-il of Figure 2, showing the antias friction elements provided at the upper portion of one of the sashes;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view on. the line l2--l2 of Figure 2, showing the preferred construction at the bottom of one of the sashes; and

Figure 13 is a detail sectional plan view substantially on the line i3-I3 of Figure 11, showing only the sashes. v i

In the selected embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3, for purposes of disclosure, a window frame comprising the usual head jamb '2, side jambs 3, and sill 5, all of which are secured together in the usual manner to provide the supporting frame for the sashes, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The frame, as shown in Figure 1,- is provided withthe usual casing trims 8, and '8, and the usual stool 9, which parts provide the usual trim for the interior side of the frame.

The frame is shown provided at its outer side with the usual blind stops} II, and casings l2, shown secured to the blind stops with their inner edges l3 spaced from the adjacent inner edges H of the blind stops, thereby to provide a seat l5 for the usual storm sash or screen l6, best shown in Figure 3. The usual-cap I is shown secured to the casing l I of the upper outer portion of the frame, as is customary in structures of this general nature.

An important feature of this invention resides in the novel arrangement in the frame-of the sashes, generally indicated by the letters A and B. These sashes are mounted for horizontal sliding movement and, when in normal closed position, are disposed in the same plane, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4, whereby the window has the general appearance of an ordinary casement type extend from side to side of the frame, as best' illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, and are adapted to be engaged by suitable anti-friction elements 23 and 24, respectively, secured to the upper and lower portions of the sash A. The upper elements 23 are preferably resiliently supported in casings 25, shown embedded in the upper rail 26 of the sash A. Suitable springs 21 constantly urge the elements 23 upwardly into contact with the guide rail 2|. The guides 21 and 22 are preferably so spaced from the blind stops M of the frame and the blind stop 28 at the upper portion thereof, that the blind stops cooperate with the rails 2i and 22 to guide the sash A in its horizontal sliding movement in the opening in the frame. The guides 2i and 22 are substantially straight, as shown in Figure '7, whereby the sash A will travel in substantially a straight line, and in a given plane.

Sash B, as hereinbefore stated, is disposed in the plane of sash A, when in normal closed position, but when moved to an open position, is moved out of said plane, as illustrated in Figures and S, to a position substantially parallel to sash A.

To thus guide sashB into and out of alinement with sash A, suitable guides 29 and 3| are pro vided in the lower portion of the frame, as clearly illustrated in Figure 12. The guide 29 hasan outwardly turned end portion 32 which terminates adjacent to the guide 22, and the guide 3| has an outwardly. inclined portion 33 terminating in a straight portion 34, disposed adjacent to the guide 21. Similarly shaped guidesare pro-.

vided on the plate i8 at the upper portion of the frame, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 11, which cooperate with the guides 29 and 3| to support sash B.

Suitable anti-friction rollers or elements 35 are moimted in the lower rail 35 of the sash B adapted to travel in the guides 29 and 3|. .These anti friction elements or rollers are swivelly supported in casings 31 embedded in the rail 36, whereby the rollers 35 are free to rotate-about the axis of pivot pins, 38, as will readily be understood by in casings 42 embedded in said rail, as best shown in Figure 11. Therollers 33 are supported in -members 43 mounted for rotary movement in supporting members 43 upwardly to hold the roll-' ers 39 in their guides, as clearly illustrated in Figure l. Pivot pins 46 retain the members 43 in the casings 44 and permit them to rotate freely therein. The frame of sash A is composed of the top rail 26, bottom. rail 41, and side members 48 and 49,-the latter being provided with a vertically disposed recess 5| extending from the bottom to the top of the sash.

' 52 of the sash, which co-act to provide a lap joint between the two sashes, when in closed position. To further seal the joint between the two sashes,

suitable sealing strips 55 and 56 are shown secured to the sashes A and B, respectively, which overlap the members 49 and 52, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4, thereby to tightly seal the joint betweenthe sashes, when in closed position. The joints between the sash rails 48 and 52 and the side-jambs 3 are sealed by the blind stops l4 and suitable sealing strips or trims 51 secured to the inner faces of the side jambs 3, as clearly illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 6. 1.

Sash A is shown provided with means for locking it in closed position, wherebyit is normally retained in the position shown in Figure 4. A suitable locking means for thus securing sash A in closed position, is shown in Figure 10, and comprises a latch member 58, secured 'to a stud 59 having a handle SI mounted for swinging movement within a suitable supporting member 62, secured to the side member 48 of the frame of the-sash A. A suitable spring 63 is shown secured to the handle SI and engages a wall of the member 62, thereby to constantly urge the latch 58 in an upward direction to retain it in looking engagement with. a keeper 64, shown secured to the side jamb 3 at the left hand side of the window, when viewed as shown in Figure 2.

Means is also provided for locking the sash B in closed position, and, as shown in Figure 4, may consist of a handle 65 suitably mounted in the inner rail 52 of sash B and having a tongue 66 adapted to be received in a slot 61 provided in the rail 49 of sash A. When the tongue 66 is engaged with the slot 81, sash B cannot be opened,

Figure 4.

In the operation of this novel window structure, sashes A and B, when the window is closed, will be positioned as shown in Figures 2 and 4. When it is desired to open one or both 'of the sashes, the rail 52 of sash B is released from the corresponding rail 49 of sash A, by'manipulation of the handle 65, whereby the inner side of sash B may be swung inwardly from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5, and, as indicated .by the arrow in this latter figure.

Because of the outwardly turned portions 32 of the guides 29, the inner edge of sash B may readily be swung out of engagement with the corresponding edge of sash A, and the member 52 cf sash B will clear the member 8 of sash A, where: by sash B will move out of alinement with sashA to a position substantially in parallel relation thereto, as shown in Figure 6.- When the sash B is thus positioned, sash A may be moved inwardly or towards the right from its closed position, when viewed as shown in Figures 2 and 6, thereby opening the window adjacent to the side jambs 3.

The particular shapes of the end portions 32' and 33 of the guides 29 and 3 I, respectively, guide sash B, whereby it may be conveniently moved into and out of closing pwition. when sash A is in its normal closed position, as shown in Figure 4. The anti-friction elements permit the sashes to be freely moved in their horizontal movements and, as a result of thus supporting the sashes in the frame, the danger of the sashes binding in their guides is substantially eliminated. It will also be readily understood, by reference to Figure 4, that when the sashes A and B are in closed position, weather-tight joints are provided between the sashes and the side jambs, and also between the overlapping inner portions of the two sashes. The upper and lower edges "or ends of the sashes may readily be made weathertlght by the provision of simple and inexpensive weather stripping, if necessary, whereby the entire window structure is renderedsubstantially weather-tight, which is a very desirable feature in window structures.

The novel window herein disclosed, readily lends itself for cleaning from within the building, when the sashes are moved inwardly, as shown in Figure-6. It is also to be noted, by

reference to Figureii, that an ordinary screen or storm window I6 may be employed without, in

ing weights or means are required to overcome the force of gravity, as in vertically movable types of windows when anu'mction roller and e move vertically in the frar'ne sufliciently to permit the lower rollers to be moved out of engagement guides, such 'as herein disclosed, ,are employed,

friction is reduced to a minimum, whereby the sashes may be conveniently, operated to open or close the window, and the danger of binding is The novel window herein disclosed also makes b providing a maximum amount of glass area for any given opening and, at the same time, giving .as in the case of an outswinging casement sash may readily be grasped at its opposite edges and v'ided at each side oi'the sashes, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 j Ideal ventilation may be had with this type of window, as; it may be hadfrom" either side, or. both" sides, and-indirect ventilation'ma'y be had ing an indirect route for the movement of air through the opening, because of the unique con-- struction of the meeting styles o'rmember's 49 and 52 of the two sashes. If desired, removable double glazing may be used on this ,type of win-" dow in place of the conventional type of storm sash, b simply providing suitable means for sup porting the glazing on the sash. frames.

it possible to standardize the size orthickness of the frame through the wall, wherebythis by onlyslightly opening sash B, thereby creatnovel window may be used in: almost any wall construction, as it is not necessary to provide pockets for'weights or other counterbalancinggo -means. It also can-be used in thin walls, as both sashesare in the same plane, when in closed'position and, if necessary, the,,-guides controlling the movement of. sash B. may be carried by the-- trim members within the building, it the wall posts arerequired between-the two sashes, therethe eiifect of modern appearance. "The window is simple and inexpensive in construction and because it does not require expensive hardware,

or window, it may be manufactured at small cost.

' The window also readily lends itself for installation purposes because of its simple construction,

it being understood that if it is to be weather directly to the-sashes when the latter are removed from the frame, thereby greatly simplifying the operation "stripped, the weather stripping may beapplied ter of the opening, as shown in Figures 1 and 6,- Y

away from the side lambs, after whicheach sash thrust upwardly until the 'antiJriction rollers at the bottom thereof move out of engagement with its respective guides. When the rollers are thus disengaged from the guides, the sashes maygeadily be removed from the frame, it being understood that because of the resilient mounting of the anti-friction rollers at the upper portions of the sashes, the sashes are adapted to relatively in said frame, outer and inner tracks for said sashes, the outer track" being substantially straight and extending substantially the full.

major-portion, disposed in parallelrelation to the outer track and having at one endv an inclined portion terminatingin a relatively short straight portion disposed adjacent to one end of the outer track and substantiallyparallelthereto, an out-" .05 sashes mouhted for horizontal sliding movement width of the frame, the inner track having its wardly turned branch portion on the inner track adjacent its intermediate portion, means on the sashes engaging said tracks, and said jambs having vertically disposed grooves adapted to receive the outer edges of the sashes, thereby to provide weather-proof joints between said outer edges and the jambs, and said branch track cooperating with said inclined and relatively straight portion of the inner track to guide the outer edge of the sash supported on the inner track into the groove in the adjacent side jambs, when the window is closed.

2. In a window structure, a frame comprising a head and side jambs, and a sill, a plurality of sashes mounted for horizontal sliding movement in said frame, outer and inner tracks for said sashes, the outer track being substantially straight and extending substantially the full width of the frame, the inner track having its major portion disposed in parallel relation to the outer track and having at one end an inclined portion terminating in a relatively short straight portion disposed adjacent to one end of the outer track and substantially parallel thereto, an outwardly turned branch portion on the inner track adjacent its intermediate portion, guide means on the sashes engagingsaid tracks, and means pivotally mounting said guide means on the inner sash, whereby said inner sash may assume different angular positions with respect to the outer sash as said guide means travel along the inner track.

3. In a window structure, a frame comprising a head and side jambs, and a sill, a plurality of sashes mounted for horizontal sliding movement in said frame, outer and inner tracks for said sashes, the outer track being substantially straight and extending substantially the full width of the frame, the inner track having its major portion disposed in parallel relation to the outer track and having at one end an inclined portion terminating in a relatively short straight portion disposed adjacent to one end of the outer track and substantially parallel thereto, an outwardly turned branch portion on the inner track adjacent its intermediate portion, guide means on the sashes engaging said tracks, means pivotally mounting said guide means on the inner sash, whereby said inner sash may assume difierent angular positions with respect to the outer sash as said guide means travel along the inner track, and means yieldably supporting certain of said guide means, whereby to facilitate removal of said sashes from said frame.

EARL C. SWAN SON. 

